JulAug 2016

www.fbinaa.org

J U LY 2 0 1 6 A U G

ASSOCIATION PERSPECTIVE

by Joey Reynolds

I write my first article as President of the FBI National Academy Associates with renewed purpose after attending the outstanding 2016 National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri . Many thanks to Lt. Col. Kenneth Cox , Deputy Chief of Police, of the St. Louis County Police Department, who served as Chairman, and the entire Confer- ence Host Committee for their untold hours of hard work. The fellow- ship among members of the law enforcement community was greatly needed in this time of unrest, and the exceptional training provided additional tools to improve our effectiveness while coping with the demands of a dangerous profession. I also want to take this time to recognize and congratulate Chief Scott Rhoad of the Kansas/Western Missouri Chapter on being elected as the Section II Representative. Scott has a servant heart and will be an awesome addition to the Executive Board. The FBINAA is facing challenges never encountered in our organization’s history. Our hearts are saddened by recent attacks against our profession and the very framework of our great nation. Perceptions about law enforcement are increasingly negative and must be changed. Officers need more support and resources than ever before to ensure their safety and increase their emotional ability to function in a climate of hostility. When the time comes to make a career change, law enforcement personnel need guidance in transitioning successfully from an extremely demanding and dangerous arena to a life with different challenges. A paradigm shift is needed across our country regarding attitudes towards law enforcement and this association needs to be the cham- pion of that initiative. To take a more proactive role in changing per- ceptions about law enforcement in our communities, we need to build stronger relationships with community groups working with at-risk youth. Conversations have already begun with Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Afterschool Alliance . A new Executive Board Committee, the “Community Engage- ment Committee” , is being established this year, made up of leaders from these community groups and others. I have asked Past President Barry Thomas to chair this committee and champion this initiative. Officer Safety and Wellness is at the forefront of concern during this turbulent time. I am proud to continue the great work that Past President Barry Thomas initiated during his Presidency. As an asso- ciation and as law enforcement executives we have to commit to the emotional, spiritual and physical health of our profession. I want to thank our outgoing President Barry Thomas who led this Association with faith, honor and passion during his term as Presi- dent. I know that I am a better person and this Association is a better organization because of his leadership. It is also unfortunate, that we have to say goodbye to Joe Gaylord as he transitions off of the Execu- tive Board. I know I will miss Joe’s wisdom and courage and want to thank him for his quiet professionalism. Our partnerships with our Strategic Alliances are critical to the future growth of our association. They understand what it means to

be part of the “National Academy Family” and I know this Association doesn’t take our partners for granted. I certainly look forward to work- ing closer with them and appreciate all I have learned from them over these past years. We couldn’t be who we are without the FBI . I want to thank the FBI for their continued support to our Association, our relationship has never been better. I want to recognize and Congratulate David Resch on his recent promotion to Assistant Director of the Training Division. The Training Division at the Academy has been incredible to work with and continually shows their support for our association. As you read this we will have moved both our store and Executive Associa- tion Office back on the academy campus where we belong thanks to their support. Director Comey has also made it a point to be available to this Association on a regular basis and constantly shows his dedica- tion to the National Academy through both his words and his actions. In closing, I feel a need to reiterate my commitment to all of you, our members, our Alliance Partners, our friends and our families. As a profession and as a law enforcement executive leadership association, we have had our trials and tribulations, make no mistake, we are in turbulent times. Our test and measure, I believe, both as a law enforce- ment profession and as an Association will be in our response to these turbulent times. We certainly have our challenges ahead of us, but I know with your support and hard work; we also have some incredible opportuni- ties. Opportunities to show that the men and women of our profession, who give their lives for their communities, do not do so in vain, but as an example of all of our dedication and commitment to the communi- ties we serve.

Thank you and God Bless!

Joey Reynolds

Joey Reynolds

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